DIY

2018 Sep 25 - CSM Upgrades

Securing your yarn mast at the CSM base

Installed a tension screw to help secure the mast on my Legare 400 antique circular sock knitting machine. Highly recommended. Very easy to accomplish with a hardware store purchased “Tappet” a device used in the drill to create a threaded hole in a hole already drilled. Tappet and matching screw purchased at Home Depot.

Also posted on INSTAGRAM

HANDLE UPGRADE

The handle on my vintage CSM is gorgeous, however much thought I came to decide I wanted to upgrade it. These handles are permanently installed on the metal mount with a hammered rivet on both ends - in order to remove the wood handle - either one must cut the metal or one must cut the wood. After discussing with Dave Lord of Chambord CSM, it was decided to send my crank wheel to him in Quebec for a stem upgrade and unpainted Chambord CSM handle purchase.

The unpainted hand was gorgeous - having been cut from a tree from their property - it had a natural heart in the wood grain (see the lighter colored wood photo) that I decided long and hard to cover still with paint. And paint it I did - I used Unicorn Spit (this is the brand of paint) with a hand applied personal technique.

Extreme thanks and appreciation to Dave and Kathy for making the handle happen.

Also on INSTAGRAM - REF1, REF2, REF3, REF4,

LOOSE CONNECTIONS - SECURE WITH A TENSION WASHER OR DOUBLE NUT
Sometimes while working on your machine a screw can work itself loose - this is a BIG deal if its the timing screw on the tappet (as shown). I locked my screw into place using a tension washer. I added nail polish to mark the standard UP side of the nut when timed.

NOTE: Timing can slightly change between different fibers - its not something set once and ignored.

Also on INSTAGRAM

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A quick cover for your CSM... a (Panda) shower cap. ;)

Also posted on INSTAGRAM

2018 Sep 25 - Yarn Carrier Upgrade

Want to see info on threading or slotting the Yarn Topper? SEE HERE.

SLOTTING YOUR VINTAGE YARN CARRIER

At the 2018 Spokane CSM event Steve Ashton slotted my antique yarn carrier by cutting a vertical access on the main component. In order for this part to still function correctly the yarn fed through this now open area, needs to be held down. In these versions shown here from initial to last update useing KwikWeld, using a variety of simple materials and measures one can make your own vintage yarn carrier into a slotted one! Works great!

The 2.0 version: I’ve upgraded the yarn feed part on my vintage yarn carrier by drilling a hole in the carrier and installing a bent in a curled pigtail small Brass Mug Hook using KwikWeld. I then painted the hook.

Also on INSTAGRAM - REF1, REF2,

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2018 Sep 18 - Heel Forks

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Heel Forks
These are used to make a heel or toe on the CSM

NEW D.I.Y.: Ultra Compact Heel Forks!
I used eBay purchased “Silver Olive Seafood Crab Lobster Forks” CAD$3.80/5 pcs (includes S&H).

These heel forks are easy to manipulate due to their small profile. The fork itself is easy to determine orientation when inside the machine by the base - where its easy to tell which direction the tines are inside the machine - making it all the more easier to move as needed inside the machine.

For more info on supplies I like see here.

Also on INSTAGRAM - REF1, REF2

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Heel Forks using Pastry Blenders (Sep 18/18)

Sharing an idea I had with using Pastry Blenders - an idea that has been had by others - first perhaps by Pat Fly (see below).

Each heel fork is HALF of a pastry blender that was cut, each metal tine reinforced with gorilla glue due to the tines only being crimped in place. Each metal end is bent as shown. The weights you see were handmade crochet covered Walmart Fishing weights. The Pastry Blenders were purchased from Amazon.ca “Pastry Blenders”. Pat Fly reference

INSTAGRAM: REF1, REF2,

SEE ALL BLOG ENTRIES ON THE BLOG INDEX PAGE | Follow us on a variety of social sites see TAPLINK | Interested in Circular Sock Machines? See the CSM START Menu first page. | Seek something specific? Checkout the Index page.

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2018 Sep 9 - Newly up-styled CSM stand

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Original wood bar-stool purchased from Canadian Tire hardware store (shown below as 1.0 - now upgraded and wood stained). I do not recommend wood stools such as this (even with cutout for the machine) as it becomes top heavy and easy to tip.

Here is the results to upgrading Table 1.0. After upgrading this setup it gained the stability it lacked - widening the supports and reinforcing them, increasing the table top work area.

I donated this wood stained upgraded table at the Spokane, Washington - USA Crank-In Sep 20-23 2019 as I switched to a new style - the adjustable height Ridgid table top system that Erlbacher Gearhart uses in their tables sold on their website.

See my Ideas and Upgrades. | For more info on supplies I like see here.

Posted also on Instagram

INSTAGRAM: REF1, REF2, REF3,

My first table/setup - Table 1.0

My first table/setup - Table 1.0

SEE ALL BLOG ENTRIES ON THE BLOG INDEX PAGE | Follow us on a variety of social sites see TAPLINK | Interested in Circular Sock Machines? See the CSM START Menu first page. | Seek something specific? Checkout the Index page.

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2018 Sep 9 - DIY: Yarn Cake Holder

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I created these two portable yarn cake holders - a double horizontal yarn cake holder and a single table mounted version.

The item on the left can be moved around like a light can and clamps to any surface a ball winder can clamp.

I used these prior to upgrading to an actual cone winder which I feel is a better way to control yarn tension. See my YARN WINDER page.

Video of this double holder in use

INSTAGRAM: REF1

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2018 Aug 21 - CSM Travel Storage Stand

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Each of the photos can be viewed bigger if clicked

When I had this idea as it appears above in the images, it was inspired by the need to travel locally by bus with my machine and to ensure upon arrival that I can still use my machine - even if the local tables are too thick to mount the machine to their tables. Video summary of this cool idea.

This project began with the inspiration of a hardware store wood ‘crate’ which had the holes cut into each side as a handle. Basically I removed all the ineffective slats and up-cycled those handle pieces, replacing all other sides with wood I then purchased.

Featuring:
-an inner vertical shelf (reinforced with a sheet of metal) to clamp and protect the machine within
-a top horizontal surface to clamp the machine onto for use on the stand, anywhere (without buckle weights)
-without the machine clamped to the top surface, the left and right clasps open to allow the top to completely flip up and open on a horizontal hinge on the back of the stand (an extra unecessary feature it was later decided however it is nice to be able to check the machine easily if needed while clamped on the inner vertical shelf).
-rubberized strips were applied the bottom of the stand for secure use on any surface

FUTURE IDEAS:
-design a new version of the stand so that the buckle and buckle weights can be used on the stand with the machine while not unbalancing it.

INSTAGRAM: REF1,

SEE ALL BLOG ENTRIES ON THE BLOG INDEX PAGE | Follow us on a variety of social sites see TAPLINK | Interested in Circular Sock Machines? See the CSM START Menu first page. | Seek something specific? Checkout the Index page.